Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-08
MIR. BEECHER's CONDITION.
HisL Slowly Ebbing Away.

New YORK, March 7.-Dr. Searle
said after he left the house this morn
ing that Mr.. Beecher's pulse and tenn
perature were the same. He lies in
O state of coma and does not move, His
breathing is heavy and quick. He is
entirely unconscious, although Mrs.
Peecher thought this morning that he
recognized her when she spoke to him.
1t times he raises his right hand and
places it to his head.
At 11:25 DR.. Searle returned TO the
house. Before entering he said he
would issue bulletin at noon. He did
not expect any change in Mr.. Beecher's
condition. Life is slowly ebbingaway,
and from reports from those who have
seen Mr.. Beecher it is evident the end
is not far off.
The condition Of Mr.. Beecher at noon
did not, says Dr. Searle's bulletin, vary
essentially from that given to the press
last evening. The only changes per-
ceptible were increase in the rapidity
of pulse anticipation. His symptoms
indicate a gradual failure of vitality,
which had been anticipated, and a con-
segment slow approach Of the end. This
course of the disease can only be
changed by the occurrence Of fresh
hemorrhage and accident, which may
or may not happen, and the time OF
which cannot be surmised. There are
no reasons to believe that the fatal issue
will occur to-day.
Mrs. S. V. White left the house at
noon. She said the family were all in
the room.
A large number of kilograms were re-
ceived during the day, but none OF
these have been opened, and Colonel
Reecher stated that no arrangements
have yet been made to give them to the
ress.
The physicians bulletin at o'clock
tonight says that, in general, it may be
said that Mr.. Beecher's condition is
worse than at any previous time. The
character of the pulse has changed. 1t
is now deciotic tumultous, indicating
failure of the heart power. The respi-
rations have increased in frequency, and
are more impeded by greater accumu
lation Of mucus-trechea than yesterday,
though not to so great degree as
on Saturday forenoon. The tempera-
ture, taken every two hours, has not
been the same on any two successive
occasions. 1t is impossible to conclude
with any approach to certainty whether
death will come by asphyxia from
failure of the respiratory centres,
or from paralysis of the heart,
or both, or, as before stated,
from the recurrence of hemorrhage.
It is therefore obviously impossible
to indicate the probable time of the
termination of the disease. II is, how
ever, the opinion of the physicians that
the limit will not be reached tonight
1t is unnecessarily feared that Mr.
Beecher is entirely unconscious and
suffers no pain. Doubtless his condi-
ton is that of one in a troubled dream.
A meeting of the parishioners of
Plymouth church was held i'll the lee
ture-room this evening. The room was
crowded with male and female mem
bers of the congregation, and not a
itN lIitHuS llOul Oluti CilulCiito, anu
there was scarcely dry eye to be seen
from the beginning to the end of the
proceedings. The following letter from
Mrs. Beecher was read:
To the Beloccd Members of Plymouth Church:
cannot speak my thanks 10 each one Of you
for the sympathy and love aud devotion mani
tested In these last dark, sad days for yoar
pastor He can no longer speak 20 you for him
self; then permit me 20 do so for him, myself,
and my family. Each word Of love from
the people dear 10 your pastors heart has been
comfort aud balm 10 a heart Wrung almost
20 bursting. How he loves his church. You
will only learn its fulness when you, stand with
him In Heaven. To each and every one OF
YOU my earnest thanks and most earnest
blessing. Pray for his wife and children,
soon TO lose the truest companion. the
tenderest father, and il we must relinquish all
possible hope Of his full recovery. oh. beloved,
pray that his departure may be speedy, that We
may not long be agonized by this struggle be-
tween life and death. Pray, II he must leave
us, that before another day dawns he may re-
ceiye his crown aud be forever with his Lord.
"EUNIcE y. BREcHRR."
The meeting closed with the bene-
dictiOn pronounced by Mr.. Beecher's
assistant, Rev. Mr.. Halliday. Another
similar meeting will be held there to-
morrow night.
The last issue of bulletins was made
at 10 o'clock tonight, and was as fol-
lows: Mr.. Beecher is slowly failing,
but we do not think he will die tonight.
w. s. SEARLE, NJ. d.
At 1870 the house was closed for the
nicht